Ann Marie

Country crossover talent Ann Marie was raised in a family of farmers that goes back seven decades in Thousand Oaks, California. Her grandfather was known as “The Onion King” for his reputation of growing exemplary green onions in the nearby Oxnard area, and it was in the surrounding fields that Ann Marie was first exposed to country music. As a child, she remembers driving through the tall swaying corn with her father, while he played her Patsy Cline on repeat and told her: “This is the greatest singer of all time. Learn from her.”

Ann Marie took her father’s advice to heart as a precocious artist who has been singing since the age of five and performing professionally since 16. Her influences progressed from Patsy Cline to modern Americana icons like Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain, and her versatile sound embraces those influences, bringing together Cline’s croon with the spunk and sex appeal of Shania and Crow’s rocker vulnerability. Songs like “Cowboy Up” and “Lie With Me” reflect her musical heritage, with powerhouse songwriting and a signature twang that wouldn’t be out of place on classic country radio, infused with incendiary guitar skills and a soaring voice that can handle the hook on the most addictive modern pop.

Ann Marie became the first member of her family to leave California when she moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to pursue a career in music, picking up odd jobs, working as a demo singer, and honing her live performance while winning fans such as Darius Rucker and David Foster, who took Ann Marie on a tour where she performed his timeless power ballads and duetted with Josh Groban. Ann Marie advanced to the semifinal round in Season 8 of American Idol but didn’t progress from there, finding solace in the fact that the judges had once passed over Colbie Caillat and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum. She persevered, earning attention from a publisher, a booking agent and numerous musicians and industry members who have recognized Ann Marie’s deft vocal skills and songwriting prowess. Since Idol, she’s shared a stage with Adele and opened for Josh Turner, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Big & Rich, Easton Corbin, and Thompson Square as well as getting tapped as a writing collaborator by John Rich of Big & Rich. Famed country music video director Shaun Silva has also taken notice of Ann Marie’s diverse talents and has chosen to direct the music video to her upcoming single, “Cowboy Up.”

Ann Marie is equally at home at the Grand Ole Opry Bowl or the Hollywood Bowl, but no matter the listener her main focus is communication: “I want to communicate with as many people as possible, making music to share to inspire people to chase their own dreams.” Her songs capture quixotic and authentic feelings of love, capable of brawny assertion and lovelorn vulnerability in the same measure. Her versatility shines throughout, whether she’s crafting universal songs capable of bringing joy and tears to women by the conviction of her performance, or showcasing quick guitar skills to make their boyfriend’s ears perk up.

Ann Marie is a true triple-threat and one of country music’s hidden talents, poised to break out with her electric stage presence, singular voice, and ageless songs of rollicking romance.